BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
With elections fast approaching, council, parliamentary and presidential candidates are canvassing for votes from the electorate.
According to elections activists, women and youth votes are going to be crucial in this referandum as these two population demographics constitute the majority of registered voters.
Youths make up over 67 percent of the country’s population and political parties are hoping to get more votes from this particular group, but what are their expectations ahead of the 2023 harmonized elections?
VicFallsLive interviewed a number of youths from Hwange district in Matabeleland North province and below is what they had to say.
“I have been on the waiting list for a residential stand in Victoria Falls since 2012 and I have never been selected, so ahead of the elections, I am looking for a representative, especially in council who will not look at enriching himself through corrupt deals, but look into providing service delivery for the people he was appointed to lead.” Ntokozo Dhlomo from Mkhosana said.
Emmanuel Mulaye from Hwange’s Empumalanga suburb also said for him, the incumbents should put the citizens first.
” Here, we have spent weeks and months without water and our councillor has not done much about it.
Women and children have suffered the most, but because our leadership starting from ward level has a few individuals who take these matters at heart. We want to be given safe and clean water consistently and even Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road has to be fixed through devolution funds, so that is the work of the legislators to ensure that is catered for.”
Most parts of the highway are damaged due to lack of maintenance, old age and potholes that are hardly repaired.
Taboka Ndubiwa from Nyongolo village said she wants the elected leaders to arrest the issue of drugs and alcohol abuse amongst children and youths.
Others also suggested that the citizens should not vote for individuals basing on the party they represent as that has hampered development.
“We should vote for a leader who has all the qualities in order for our district to improve,”Bongile Ncube suggested.
“Our district is endowed with rich natural resources that attract tourists and we contribute so much to the country’s GDP yet we do not get any returns out of it. Children’s education is poor, the health sector collapsing and the roads are in a bad state even in the suburbs, so a leader who has been voted for should be able to provide answers by pushing for laws that support the people of Hwange.”
A fortnight ago, Zanu PF held its primary elections for the incumbents and the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change also held its nominations on Wednesday.